Montana Annual Book of Reports 2018 - September 2018

2018 

ANNUAL 

BOOK OF 

REPORTS 

Montana Nurses Association 106th Annual Convention 

October 3rd, 2018 - October 5th, 2018 

Great Northern Best Western Premier Hotel 

Helena, MT

2018 Montana Nurses Association 

Table of Contents 

MNA Mission Statement 3 

MNA Staff & Contacts 5 

2018 Board of Directors 7 

2018 Councils 9 

2018 Committees 11 

2018 Leadership 13 

Executive Director Report 15 

Professional Development Report 19 

Labor Department Report 21 

Membership Report 22 

District 1 Report 23 








Membership Application 31 

Notes 32 

Printed and Published for the Montana Nurses Association by: 

Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency 

517 Washington, P.O. Box 216, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 

(319) 277-2414 

www.mtnurses.org 

Published by: 

Arthur L. Davis 

Publishing Agency, 

Inc. 

1


2


Montana Nurses Association 

Mission Statement 

The Montana Nurses Association promotes professional nursing practice, 

standards and education; represents professional nurses; and provides 

nursing leadership in promoting high quality health care. 

Excellence is our Standard!! 

“Voice of Nurses in Montana” 

3


At the heart 

of who we 

are stands 

compassion 

BILLINGS (406) 294-0785 

BOZEMAN (406) 556-0640 

BUTTE (406) 494-6114 

HELENA (406) 442-2214 

4


Montana Nurses Association 

Staff & Contacts 

Executive Director Vicky Byrd BA, RN, OCN 406-442-6710 vicky@mtnurses.org 

Director, Professional 

Development 

Pam Dickerson 

PhD, RN-BC, FAAN 

406-465-9126 pam@mtnurses.org 

Director, Labor Program Robin Haux BS 406-431-5934 robin@mtnurses.org 

Professional 

Development Associate 

RN Professional 

Development Associate 

Caroline Baughman BS 406-442-6710 caroline@mtnurses.org 

Mary Thomas BA, RN 406-442-6710 mary@mtnurses.org 

Labor Representative Amy Hauschild BSN, RN 406-431-0508 ahauschild@mtnurses.org 

Labor Representative Sandi Luckey 406-465-1827 sandi@mtnurses.org 

Labor Representative Leslie Shepherd BSN, RN 406-431-2943 leslie@mtnurses.org 

Chief Financial Officer Jill Hindoien BS 406-442-6710 jill@mtnurses.org 

Administrative Assistant Jennifer Hamilton 406-442-6710 jennifer@mtnurses.org 

Phone: 406-442-6710 

Fax: 406-442-1841 


“LIKE” us on Facebook! 

“FOLLOW” us on Twitter! 


Visit our website for updates, 

news & events! 

5


CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES of MONTANA 

Building Families Through Adoption Since 1953 

“Choose Health” 

Hardin, MT • 406-665-2310 

www.bighornhospital.org 

Grounded in our commitment to human dignity, the common good of all, 

and the care of people who are poor and vulnerable. 

CATHOLIC SOCIAL 

SERVICES of MONTANA 

WHAT WE DO 

Services for Those Experiencing Unplanned Pregnancies 

Services for Adoptive Parents 

Other Important Services 

• Limited Financial Assistance to Birth Parents in Need 

• Search and Reunion through Confidential Intermediary 

• Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Program 

• Rachel’s Hope (post abortion counseling for men and women) 

We welcome your call for more information. 

Check our website for more details! 

We are a non-profit, licensed adoption agency 

Your support means everything to us! 

www.cssmt.org 

1.800.BABYDUE | 1.800.222.9383 

• Adoptive Home Study Services 

• Post-Adoption Services 

IMPROVING THE ORAL HEALTH OF MONTANANS 

THROUGH PREVENTION & EDUCATION 

It’s easy for individual physicians, physician 

assistants, nurse practitioners, 

nurses, students, and other clinicians 

to access the oral health curriculum 

and learn on their own, and at their 

own pace with the Smiles for Life 

National Oral Health Curriculum. 

Resources and courses are available 

online. Free Continuing Education 

credit is available. 

DOWNLOAD THE 

FREE APP 

TODAY! 

For program information contact: 

Tonette Hollingsworth, RDH, MS 

(406) 444-2660 

thollingsworth@mt.gov 

Come Live & 

Work in Beautiful 

Lewistown Montana! 

Central Montana Medical Center is Seeking…. 

OR Manager 

Full-time – (working manager) 

CMMC offers great benefits and Wage DOE 

2 OR Suites and 1 Procedure Room 

Contact cmmchr@cmmccares.com for more information 

or apply on line at cmmc.health/employment 

6


2018 Board of Directors 

President 

Lorri Bennet RN 

Deer Lodge 

Secretary 

Chelsee Baker BSN, RN 

Anaconda 

Vice-President 

Terry Dutro MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC 

Bozeman 

Treasurer 

Linda Larsen RN-BC 

Bozeman 

Director at Large 

Jennifer Taylor BSN, RN, CCRN 

Helena 

Council on 

Professional Development 

Representative to the Board 

Debby Lee BSN, RN-BC, CCRP 

Denton 

Council on 

Economic & General Welfare 


Jennifer Tanner BS, RN, CCRN, NREMT 

Clancy 

Council on 

Practice & Government Affairs 


Bobbie Cross, RN 

Ennis 

Council on 

Advanced Practice (CAP) 


John Honsky APRN 

Missoula 

To contact the Board of Directors you may email them at ~ mnabod@mtnurses.org 

7

Full-time and Part-time Openings: 

LPN, RN, APRN & PMHNP 

Positions available at our non-profit Western Montana 

Mental Health Centers in: 

Bozeman • Butte • Hamilton 

Helena • Kalispell • Missoula • Polson 

Provide psych treatment or nursing for clients diagnosed with 

severe and persistent mental illness. Must have current knowledge 

of psychotropic meds and understanding of crisis intervention 

and use of hospital alternative services and MT licensure. 


If interested and one of these locations suits you, 

please apply online at www.wmmhc.org. 

SPONSORED BY: 

Questions? 

Call Alice at 406-532-8405. 

Web site www.wmmhc.org. 

EOE 

For more information call 406.531.4032 

8


2018 Councils 

Council on Professional Development 

Email ~ ce@mtnurses.org 

Debby Lee, BSN, RN-BC Representative to Board ~ Denton 

Megan Hamilton MSN, RN, CFRN NR-P.....Missoula 

Cheryl Richards MS, BSN, RN-BC..............Whitefish 

Janet Smith MN, MSHS, RN......................Bozeman 

Gwyn Palchak BSN, RN-BC, ACM...............Kalispell 

Sarah Leland BSN, RN, CMS.....................Park City 

Sandy Sacry MSN, RN.................................Helena 

Emily Michalski MSN, RN-BC....................... Clancy 

Cheryl Miller MSN, RN-BC...........................Billings 

Abbie Colussi RN.........................................Helena 

Council on Practice & Government Affairs 

Email ~ cpga@mtnurses.org 

Bobbie Cross, RN Representative to Board ~ Ennis 

Abbie Colussi RNHelena 

Jack Preston BSN, RN………Butte 

Anna Ammons, BSN, RN, PCCN………Columbus 

Karen Fairbrother BSN, RN, DNC, CDE………Helena 

Anita Doherty, BSN, RN, PCCN………Great Falls 

Council on Economic & General Welfare 

Email ~ egw@mtnurses.org 

Jennifer Tanner BSN, RN, CCRN, NREMT Representative to Board ~ Clancy 

Rachel Huleatt BSN, RN………....................Billings 

Lisa Ross, RN, CCRN………....................Helena 

Krystal Frydenlund, RN, CCRN………....................Clancy 

Delayne Stahl RN, OCN………....................Billings 

Council on Advanced Practice 

Email ~ cap@mtnurses.org 

John Honsky APRN ~ Representative to Board ~ Missoula 

Council on Advanced Practice Chair-Elect ~ Deborah Kern MSN, FNP.........Bozeman 

Secretary ~ Nanci Taylor APRN………....................Anaconda 

Member at Large ~ Kevin Comer MN, FNP-BC………....................Bozeman 

Member at Large ~ Barbara Schaff, FNP,-BC………....................Bozeman 

9


Nursing Opportunities Available 

• Medical / Telemetry Unit Nurse 

• Emergency Room Nurse 

• Outpatient Clinic Nurse Supervisor 

• Outpatient Clinic Nurse 

Sage Memorial Hospital is located in 

Northeastern Arizona, Ganado, Arizona 

For more information contact: 

Ernasha McIntosh, RN, BSN, DON, 

928-755-4501, ernasha.mcintosh@sagememorial.com. 

Applications available at 

http://sagememorial.com/careers/ 

Submit applications to the Human Resources Department, 

Fax#: 928-755-4659, hr@sagememorial.com 

10


2018 Committees 

By-Laws Committee 

Brenda Donaldson BA, RN………Bozeman 

Editorial Board 

Vacant 

Elections Committee 

Lorie Van Donsel BSN, RN………Forsyth 

Emily Michalski-Weber MSN, RN-BC………Clancy 

Melissa Anderson BSN, RN………Billings 

Penny Haughian RN………Terry 

Finance Committee 

Vacant 

History Committee 

Vacant 

Nominations Committee 

Lorie Van Donsel BSN, RN……Forsyth 

Emily Michalski-Weber MSN, RN-BC……Clancy 

Cynthia Sparing BA, CCHP-RN……Helena 

Brandi Breth BSN, RN……Missoula 

Melissa Anderson BSN, RN……Billings 

11


Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic 

and Oasis Health Spa 

Naturopathic Doctors - Experts in Natural Medicine 

720 N. 30th St., 

Billings, MT 59101 

406.259.5096 

www.yncnaturally.com 

Fort Belknap Indian Community 

Public Health Nurse RN/BSN 

Inquire about open positions 

Contact Kathleen Adams at Kathleen.Adams@lhs.gov 

656 Agency Main St. | Harlem, MT 59526 

Ph: 406-353-3250 | Fax: 406-353-3283 | www.ftbelknap.org 

1751 E Lyndale • Helena • 406-449-4567 • Contr. #146626 

Heather and Keven Patzer, Partners • www.intermountainheating.com 

Deb’s Dancewear & Uniforms 

Rimrock Mini Mall—Upstairs 

111 South 24th Street West, Billings, MT 59102 

406-656-7838 / 1-800-442-3327 

www.cherokee-debsdancewear.com 

RNs & LPNs 

FT/PT – All shifts available 

Sign On Bonus Available! 

Big Sandy Medical Center, Inc 

Critical Access Hospital, Longterm 

Care Facility and Rural Health Clinic. 

166 Montana Ave. East | Big Sandy, MT 59520 

(406) 378-2188 | www.bsmc.org 

12


2018 Leadership 

District Leadership 

• District 1 ~ Geri Unbehend/John Honsky........................................................................Missoula 

• District 2 ~ Lorri Bennett.............................................................................................Deer Lodge 

• District 3 ~ Keven Comer............................................................................................... Bozeman 

• District 4 ~ VACANT........................................................................................................ Helena 

• District 5 ~ Lorie Van Donsel............................................................................................ Forsyth 

• District 6 ~ Arlys Williams/Debby Lee...............................................................................Denton 

• District 7 ~ Gwyn Palchak...............................................................................................Kalispell 

• District 8 ~ Jennifer Miller...............................................................................................Glendive 

Local Unit Leadership 

• District 1-Local Unit 15 ~ Community Medical Center...........................................Geri Unbehend 

• District 1-Local Unit 17 ~ St. Patrick Hospital............................................................. Mary Carroll 

• District 1-Local Unit 18 ~ Anticoagulation Clinic, St. Patrick Hospital............................... VACANT 

• District 1-Local Unit 32 ~ Partners In Home Care................................. George Bosse/Julie Lippert 

• District 1-Local Unit 33 ~ Fresenius Medical Center.....................................................Sarah Black 

• District 1-Local Unit 35 ~ Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital........................................ Hillary Webb 

• District 2-Local Unit 01 ~ Community Hospital of Anaconda.....................................Lorri Bennett 

• District 2-Local Unit 05 ~ St. James Healthcare......................................................Stacey Sheehan 

• District 2-Local Unit 07 ~ Montana State Hospital.......................................................Jack Preston 

• District 2-Local Unit 36 ~ Montana Chemical Dependency Center.....................Elisabeth Fandrich 

• District 2-Local Unit 37 ~ Butte/Silver Bow City-County....................................Karen Maloughney 

• District 3-Local Unit 04 ~ Bozeman Health................................................................ Matt Larson 

• District 3-Local Unit 06 ~ Fresenius Medical Center.............................................. Ruth Grindinger 

• District 3-Local Unit 26 ~ MSU Student Health..................................................... Quinn Taborsky 

• District 4-Local Unit 08 ~ Department of Public Health & Human Services............... Susan Reeser 

• District 4-Local Unit 13 ~ St. Peter’s Community Hospital................................................ Paul Lee 

• District 5-Local Unit 02 ~ Billings Clinic.................................................................. Delayne Stahl 

• District 5-Local Unit 38 ~ Rosebud Healthcare_....................................................... Marla Malley 

• District 5-Local Unit 44 ~ Holy Rosary Hospital....................... Penny Haughian/Lorie Van Donsel 

• District 6-Local Unit 11 ~ Cascade City-County.................................................... Davida Hryszko 

• District 6-Local Unit 12 ~ Northern Montana Hospital.............................................Audrey Turner 

• District 6-Local Unit 14 ~ MT Mental Health Nursing Care Center.............................Bethany Eide 

• District 6-Local Unit 20 ~ Marias Medical Center........................................................... VACANT 

• District 6-Local Unit 24 ~ Sweet Medical Center............................................................. VACANT 

• District 6-Local Unit 25 ~ Northern Rockies Medical.................. Brianne Stanchfield/Crystal Soker 

• District 7-Local Unit 22 ~ Cabinet Peaks Medical Center.........................................Dave Edwards 

• District 7-Local Unit 27 ~ Veteran’s Home...................................................................Ruth Oskey 

• District 7-Local Unit 34 ~ Clark Fork Valley Hospital.................................................... Julia Ulvick 

• District 8-Local Unit 21 ~ Glendive Medical Center.................................................. Andee Jolliffe 

• District 8-Local Unit 39 ~ Sidney Health Center................................Linda Reis/Karen Schledewitz 

13


NOW OFFERING: 

5 Semester ASN Program 

START HERE 

GO ANYWHERE! 

AND 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT 

1-800-541-9281 or 406-874-6188 

Pauline Flotkoetter RN, MSN, Director of Nursing Email: Flotkoetterp@milescc.edu 

Thank You Montana Nurses! 

• Loan repayment • Health insurance 

• Tuition assistance • Life insurance 

• Vacation 

• Employee 

• 401K 

pharmacy 

• Onsite child day care • Set-Schedules 

in Billings is currently hiring 

LPN’s & RN’s both part-time and 

full-time with a Sign on Bonus! 

To apply visit www.sjlm.org or call Kylie at (406) 655-5920 

14


2018 Highlights from the Executive Director 

Vicky Byrd, BA, RN, OCN Executive Director 

As your executive director, now for over four years, I wanted to take this 

opportunity and let you know that the Montana Nurses Association has the most 

phenomenal staff and volunteers. The MNA staff fiercely advocates for quality 

education and nurses’ right to collectively bargain, moreover, they are dedicated, 

loyal, and genuinely passionate regarding your professional nurses association. 

Your board of directors and council members have been completely immersed 

and supportive of the association. I couldn’t be more proud of the staff and 

volunteers that have made our professional nurses association so relevant, and 

now, the sought after voice of the professional nurse in Montana! 

Looking forward, MNA is planning for growth and a step toward that goal was realized this fall in hiring a 

lead labor organizer. This organizing position is the first of its kind as MNA has not had, to our knowledge, 

any organizing department positions within the labor program. We are excited to bring this much needed 

position to MNA and look forward to reporting on the progress. 

As we look toward the 2019 legislative session, learn who your state senator and state representatives are. 

Talk to them, educate them, and let them know your concerns related to the nursing profession and how 

that relates to patient care. They are often making decisions that impact our profession and it is up to us to 

be sure they are making informed ones. Thank those lawmakers who are supportive of our issues and hold 

others accountable for their non-support. 

MNA will again pursue felony legislation and as of this printing, unsure what that will exactly look like. 

MNA is well aware, in order to address violence against healthcare workers there needs to be a cultural, 

legislative, and educational change. MNA is working with some of our facilities in which we have a 

collective bargaining unit to bargain into their contracts safety plans and safety committees that have 

mandatory nurse involvement. Ultimately, it should be a priority for any employer of nurses and healthcare 

workers to establish safety protocols. It has been proven, with evidence based research, that Montana 

nurses are assaulted at a higher rate than the national average. As directed by MNA membership, we shall 

continue to pursue protections for our nurses and healthcare workers. 

MNA, in advocating for our advanced practice nurses, will explore bringing legislation forward in the 2019 

session to address global signature authority for APRNs. This in no way expands their scope of practice, 

but does allow them to sign the appropriate documents and forms within their scope and reinforce 

Montana’s longstanding support of APRNs practicing to the fullest extent of their education. 

MNA continues to monitor the Nurse Licensure Compact (formerly the eNLC-enhanced nurse licensure 

compact) and the rules that will go into effect January 2019. MNA has long been opposed to the NLC in 

its current form but, unfortunately, the NLC (formerly eNLC) passed legislation in 2017 in Montana and we 

are a party state in the NLC. Some unintended consequences that we continue to address are: 

It appears that the Montana Board of Nursing (“Board”) is using the adoption of this compact 

to eliminate its rules in favor of allowing the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact 

Administrators (“Commission”), a private, non-regulatory, non-governmental entity located in the 

15


NursingALD.com 

can point you right to that perfect 

NURSING JOB! 

NursingALD.com 

Free to Nurses 

Privacy Assured 

Easy to Use 

E-mailed Job Leads 

16


state of Illinois, to adopt all rules for the state of Montana with regard to nurse licensure. It also 

appears that from these rule changes the Board will expect the Commission to make and adopt all 

licensing related rules for Montana-based nurses without the state of Montana having to otherwise 

notice or adopt such rules through the Montana Board of Nursing or the Montana Secretary of 

State in the Montana Administrative Register. Because this constitutes a significant change under 

state requirements related to public notice and open meetings to the nurses represented by the 

MNA, the MNA suggests that the Board should look more closely at the power granted to the 

Commission by the legislative adoption of the compact. Specifically, the Board appears to believe 

that following general reference to the Commission in the New Rule is sufficient notice under 

Montana law to notify individuals of the rules and rulemaking related to licensing: 

NEW RULE I ENHANCED NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT RULES 

MAR Notice No. 24-159-85 6-3/30/18 

(1) As a party state to the compact, the board is bound by the compact rules, 

adopted by the commission. 

(2) The compact rules can be found at https://www.ncsbn.org/enlcrules.htm. 

AUTH: 37-8-202, MCA 

IMP: 37-8-501, MCA 

However, with this change, there is no guarantee that Montana nursing licensees will receive notice 

when the Commission changes rules or be able to access public rules and records in the manner 

required by Montana law. Simply put, this rulemaking does not seem to comply with Montana’s 

public notice laws related to licensing and Board activities. From the rule change, it appears that 

there is nothing in place at the Board level ensuring that interested parties and licensees will receive 

legal notice of proposed and actual rule changes implemented by the Commission. The rulemaking 

appears to relieve the Board of its role in ensuring that Montana laws governing Montana licensees 

are recorded in the Montana Administrative Register located at the following link with the Secretary 

of State: http://sos.mt.gov/arm/register/index. This is how Montanans get notice of rule changes 

related to Montanans, including licensing rules related to the licensures of professionals by the 

state of Montana. Are the Commission’s proposed rules going to be published by the Montana 

Administrative Register when rules are proposed that affect nurses licensed in Montana? How will 

the history of Montana law be maintained, cited, and indexed? 

Most importantly, the Board has failed to address in the new rulemaking how it will track multi-state 

(compact) licensees that are practicing and residing in Montana in order to ensure that these compact 

licensees living and working in Montana are complying with the requirement that they apply for 

a Montana nursing license when they relocate here. See statute 37-8-501 Article IV (3). Under the 

rulemaking, this Board proposes to eliminate ARM 24.159.504 (f), which currently requires nurse 

licensees to apply for a Montana home state license within 90 days of coming to reside in Montana. 

The MNA is aware of multiple nurses who have not notified the Board or applied for a new home 

state license and/or renewed their licensure as the compact requires, even after they have resided 

in Montana for long periods of time while working for Montana health care providers. It appears 

to the MNA that, under the Board’s current rules, the Board has no way to find out whether party 

17


state nurses licensed under the compact are living and working in Montana, independent of nurses 

applying for licensure, here, and it seems that the compact has allowed the Board to lose track of the 

nurses eligible to work in and/or are working in Montana with multi-state licenses under the compact. 

This is a major issue presented by the compact to the health and safety of Montana patients and to 

the oversight of this Board, and this issue was not addressed in this rulemaking. 

UPDATE: The BON (July 2018) did in fact eliminate the 90 day requirement for 

nurses who come to reside in Montana to obtain a home state license. 

*Montana Nurses Association Foundation-(MNAF) 

Donations to the MNAF foundation are 100% tax deductible. 

MNAF mission statement: “The Montana Nurses Association Foundation (MNAF) is the charitable and 

philanthropic branch of the Montana Nurses Association (MNA), with a mission to preserve the history of 

nursing in Montana and contribute, support and empower the professional nurse in Montana.” 

The purposes for which the Corporation is organized are as follows: 

“(a) charitable; (b) educational; (c) to accept healthcare/nursing research and educational grants; (d) to 

provide continuing educational grants to licensed registered nurses; and (e) to award scholarships to 

qualifying persons.” 

We look forward to our annual MNAF silent auction at our MNA 2018 annual convention! 

18


Council on Professional 

Development 2018 

Annual Report 

Pamela S. Dickerson, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN 

Director of Professional Development & 

Megan Hamilton, MSN, RN, CFRN, NR-P 

Chair, Council on Professional 

Development 

The overarching goals of the Council on Professional Development are congruent with the mission of MNA 

– to promote professional nursing practice, standards, and education and to provide nursing leadership in 

promoting high-quality health care. Specifically, these goals are: 

1. Provide quality continuing nursing education that supports the mission of MNA, following 

guidelines as an accredited provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission 

on Accreditation. 

2. Approve educational activities and provider units that support nursing professional development 

and improvement in patient care, following guidelines as an accredited approver by the American 

Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 

As required by accreditation criteria, there are outcome measures associated with both provider and 

approver unit operations. Increasingly, there is emphasis on validating the importance of continuing nursing 

education in improving the professional practice of nursing. Evidence of the excellence of our work in this 

area includes receipt of the 2015 ANCC Premier Award for our accredited approver unit and designation of 

Accreditation with Distinction of our accredited provider and approver units. 

Council on Professional Development: 

The Council meets twice a year for face-to-face meetings in addition to conference calls for new member 

orientation and other issues as required. Some members of the council focus on provider unit operations 

and activities; other members serve as peer reviewers for the approver unit. Peer reviewers undergo 

initial education and testing, as well as periodic validation of competence to ensure their ability to assess 

applications congruently with peer reviewers across the United States and appraisers in the ANCC Primary 

Accreditation Program. 

Approver Unit: 

The MNA Accredited Approver Unit accepts applications from both individual activity applicants and 

organizations wishing to be approved, or to continue their approval, as providers. Individual activities are 

approved for up to two years once all accreditation program criteria have been met. Provider units are 

approved for up to three years, with authority to design, implement, and evaluate their own activities under 

the leadership, direction, and accountability of a Primary Nurse Planner during that period of time. The 

19


Approver Unit monitors quality and outcomes from both individual activity and approved provider data 

in accordance with accreditation program criteria. Our approver unit is recognized as a leader by ANCC’s 

Primary Accreditation Program, resulting in receipt of referrals for applicants from around the country and 

around the world. The approver unit operates under the leadership of the Nurse Peer Review Leader, who 

also serves as the MNA Director of Professional Development. 

Provider Unit: 

The MNA Accredited Provider Unit is accountable for planning, implementing, and evaluating all 

continuing nursing education offered by MNA. This includes annual events such as the Transition from 

New Graduate to Professional Nurse Workshop, the APRN Pharmacology Conference, Labor Retreat, 

CE Provider Update Workshops, Convention, and the interprofessional Seamless Health Care for Our 

Veterans Conference. Additionally, the provider unit offers a number of in-person and web-based 

educational activities. While the main target audience of provider unit activities is MNA members, 

educational activities are open to all nurses interested in our events. The www.cnebymna.com web site 

is populated with independent study opportunities in the areas of professional development, clinical 

practice development, and continuing education provider education. The provider unit operates under the 

leadership of the Lead Nurse Planner, who also serves as the MNA Director of Professional Development. 

Continuing education continues to be a major benefit to membership and provides numerous 

opportunities for nurses to enhance their professional development as learners, faculty, authors, peer 

reviewers, and activity planners. Additionally, as part of MNA’s commitment to improve the professional 

development of our members and volunteers, we support the participation of members of our Council 

on Professional Development in national professional development events. In 2018, two members were 

provided the opportunity to participate in the Association for Nursing Professional Development’s 

annual conference. 

Evidence clearly supports the value and importance of nursing professional development to sustain 

lifelong learning and contribute to the nurse’s ability to be successful and effective as a clinician, educator, 

researcher, or administrator. We are proud to support professional development through our nationally 

recognized accredited provider and approver units. 

20


2018 Labor Department Annual Report 

Robin Haux, BS, Labor Program Director 

Another year has come and gone and I am excited to share with you the 

MNA Labor Department updates. Your MNA Labor Department is excited 

to announce we hired our first Lead Labor Organizer, Myles Aion! We are 

so excited to have Myles join our team as he joins in our excitement for 

growing our membership. Both organizing and member engagement have 

been priorities for our department as the nurse collective voice, is the most 

powerful voice! We encourage each of our members to reach out to just ONE 

new nurse and share with them why they value their own professional nurses 

union. Engaging our younger nurses will be key to maintaining the nursing collective voice and improving 

results at the bargaining table. 

Your MNA Labor Representatives, Amy Hauschild, RN-BSN, Sandi Luckey, and Leslie Shepherd, RN-BSN 

continue to travel the state assisting our local bargaining units. The current labor climate is increasingly 

challenging, making our negotiations over the past year last longer and requiring RN collective actions at 

many levels. Every bargaining session included some level of attack on your collective voice and benefits. 

Our nurses are continuing to have to fight harder to maintain their voices in advocating for their patients. 

As a bargaining unit member, your engagement is of utmost importance to success at the bargaining table. 

Participate in meetings and surveys, support your bargaining teams, and stay engaged! This action can be 

as little as providing food for your bargaining team to helping distribute support stickers or badges. Every 

little bit helps build your voice! Advocacy through bargaining and collective action can, and does, make 

impacts at the bargaining table. As we continue to strengthen our contracts, we continue to improve the 

workplace for our members. 

The goal for increasing member engagement will be a priority over the next year. We encourage your 

locals to add positions to your executive boards. Examples are add a co-president or co-secretaries to 

assist in sharing the commitment. Add a media officer to manage emails lists and create a local unit 

Facebook page. Focus on obtaining one or two nurses to be representatives to your local executive board 

and this will help increase effective communication. Have fun and plan events to benefit your community 

and bring awareness to the nurses in your communities! Our labor representatives can provide each of 

you with the tools to improve engagement and look forward to meeting with all of you to create plans to 

do so! Don’t forget how much MNA loves to provide nursing education! 

Ask your representatives about holding virtual meetings to assist with improving member participation. 

Our members have busy lives and sometimes it is easier to participate from your homes and MNA 

can assist you to offer this option. We have a new wonderful texting system that has proven to be very 

beneficial for member notification! Call your Labor Rep to set up a time for a quick training! 

With the 2019 Legislative session around the corner, please pay attention to the issues that affect your 

profession and ask specific questions of the candidates who are running for all offices. An email or phone 

call really makes a difference and as MNA continues to grow as the nursing voice in Montana, your vote, 

your calls truly help us to impact and protect nurses and patients in our state. 

Remember to follow us on Twitter at @MTnurses and like us on Facebook. Thank you for all the work 

each of you do every day advocating for patients across Montana! 

21


2018 Membership Report 

Jill Hindoien, BS Chief Financial Officer 

The Montana Nurses Association (MNA) has taken a leadership role in 

shaping the future of nursing in Montana and all RN’s are taking notice. The 

Montana Nurses Association membership numbers remain strong with 2300 

collective bargaining members, 230 non-collective bargaining members, 

and 35 retired members. Through MNA, all RN’s have a collective voice 

impacting the future 

of their profession and patients. 

MNA is listening and making changes as requested by our members. MNA has added a new collaborative 

membership category called Council on Advanced Practice collaborator. CAP–C members are a 

collaborative member of the Council on Advanced Practice only and NOT a full member of MNA. CAP-C 

membership dues are utilized for legislative and advance practice issues, CAP council designations, and 

MNA operations. 

With the Supreme Court’s Janus decision, the MNA public sector RNs have remained loyal and supportive 

of their professional association and have shown great respect and support for the collective bargaining 

process. MNA represents nine public sector facilities with over 130 collective bargaining members. 

These public sector nurse members value their collective voice and are sticking with their professional 

association through their union. 

MNA is continually working to improve our membership database to provide accurate and up-to-date 

information. If you have any changes to name, mailing address, personal e-mail address, phone number, or 

employment status, please contact MNA at 1-406-422-1052 or e-mail jill@mtnurses.org. 

Thank you for your membership in your professional nurses association. 

22


District 1 Report 

John Honsky, APRN Treasurer 

District 1: Mineral County, Missoula County and Ravalli County 

District 1 Local Units: 

Local #15-Community Medical Center 

Local #17-Providence St Patrick Hospital 

Local #18-Providence St. Patrick Coagulation Clinic 

Local #32-Partners in Home Care 

Local #33-Fresenius Kidney Care-Missoula 

Local #35-Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital 

2018 provided more opportunities to support nursing education. This year through the Montana State 

University – Bozeman Foundation and the University of Montana Foundation the district increased the 

amount of nursing education scholarships awarded to Missoula Nursing students to $1,500. The funds are 

from the Shirley Christianson Endowment which is managed by the District. 

Missoula’s District can send up to 29 Delegates to the MNA Annual Convention this year and we have 

elected 29. District funds will be used to cover registrations, gas, and hotel rooms for Delegates, Board 

Members, and attendees as funds are available. 

Within District 1 we have six local units of which Leslie Shepherd and Sandi Luckey are the labor 

representatives. 

On a note of deep gratitude, we say good bye and thank you to Genie Weber who retired from 

Community Medical Center and who has served several years as District President. 

District 1 Officers include: 

President: Geri Unbehend 

Treasurer: John Honsky APRN 

If you have any questions regarding your district you can contact Jennifer at (406) 442-6710 or 

jennifer@mtnurses.org 

23



Lorri Bennet, RN President 

District 2: Beaverhead County, Deer Lodge County, Granite County, 

Powell County and Silver Bow County 


Local #1-Community Hospital of Anaconda 

Local #5-St. James Healthcare 

Local #7-Montana State Hospital 

Local #36-Montana Chemical Dependency Center 

Local #37-Butte Silver Bow Health Department 

District 2 is planning more meetings for the upcoming year and has the goal of Local Unit Officers 

meeting with District Nurses to exchange ideas and offer each other support where needed. 

District 2 funds support our elected Delegates, Board Members, and attendees to the Annual MNA 

Convention, covering registration, gas, and hotel rooms as funds are available. This year we have elected 

11 Delegates and have 2 Board Members. 

Within District 2 are five local units which are supported by Sandi Luckey as labor representative and our 

labor program director, Robin Haux. 


President: Lorri Bennett RN 

Vice President: Corinne Pederson RN 

Secretary/Treasurer: Chelsee Baker RN 

24



Keven Comer, APRN President 

District 3: Gallatin County, Madison County, Park County and 

Sweet Grass County 


Local #4-Bozeman Health 

Local #6-Fresenius Kidney Care-Bozeman 

Local #26-MSU Student Health 

We held our annual Nurses’ Day Banquet at Johny Carino’s in Bozeman. This 

was the 19th consecutive year for the celebration. There were over 70 attendees which included nurses, 

student nurses and friends of nurses. There were door prizes and fabulous food and drinks. 

This year our officers and board of directors voted to begin to donate to the MNA Foundation in memory 

of District 3 Nurses. 

District 3 continues to have broad base support from nurses. We have members from MSU-College of 

Nursing, Livingston, Bozeman Health and Deaconess Hospital, Gallatin Country Rest Home, MSU-Student 

Health and nurses in various jobs throughout Gallatin and Park counties. 

Within District 3 are three local units supported by Amy Hauschild, labor representative. 

Officers include: 

President: Keven Comer APRN 

Vice President: Pat Obrien-Townsend RN 

Secretary: Pat Armstrong RN 

Treasurer: Janet Smith RN 

Board of Directors: Janice Hausauer APRN, Kelsey Comer RN, Terry Dutro APRN, Deb Kern APRN 

and Barb Prescott-Schaff APRN 

25



District 4 Broadwater County, Jefferson County, Lewis & Clark County 

and Meagher County 

District 4 Local Units 

Local #8-Montana DPHHS 

Local #13-St Peters Health 

District 4 is looking forward to hosting the 2018 MNA Annual Convention this year with help from 

the District Members and MNA staff. We have elected and will be sending 11 Delegates to the MNA 

Annual Convention to participate in the House of Delegates. Our District 4 funds will be used to cover 

the registration costs of our Delegates, Board Members, and any attendees from District 4 to the Annual 

Convention. District 4 has two local units within its membership noted above and Sandi Luckey is their 

labor representative. 


President: VACANT 

Vice President: Emily Michalski-Weber BSN, RN-BC 

Secretary: Krystal Frydenlund RN 

Treasurer: Brittany Lee RNC 

26



Lorie Van Donsel, BSN, RN President 

District 5: Big Horn County, Carbon County, Carter County, Custer County, 

Fallon County, Golden Valley County, Musselshell County, Powder 

River County, Rosebud County, Stillwater County, Treasure County, 

Wheatland County and Yellowstone County 


Local #2-Billings Clinic 

Local #38-Rosebud Health Care Center 

Local #44-Holy Rosary Healthcare 

Greetings from District 5! 2018 has been a productive year for District 5. Bylaws for the district are in the 

process of being updated and finalized. 

We have elected 14 Delegates to attend the MNA Convention House of Delegates. District 5 will use their 

district funds to cover registration, gas, and hotel rooms as funds are available. 

Within District 5 are three local units that are active and engaged and their labor representative 

is Amy Hauschild. 

We continue to explore ways to grow our membership with all nurses and through our collective bargaining units. 


President: Lorie Van Donsel 

Treasurer: Kim Flotkoetter 

27



Debby Lee, BSN, RN-BC President 

District 6: Blaine County, Cascade County, Chouteau County, Fergus 

County, Glacier County, Hill County, Judith Basin County, Liberty County, 

Pondera County, Teton County and Toole County 


Local #11-Cascade City-County Health Department 

Local #12 Northern Montana Health Care 

Local #14 Montana Mental Health Nursing Care Center 

Local #20 Marias Medical Center 

Local #24 Sweet Medical Center 

Local #25 Northern Rockies Medical Center 

District 6 met twice this year working on updating our bylaws and discussing current nursing issues. 

We held elections electronically in June for District Officers and Delegates for the House of Delegates 

meeting at the MNA Annual Convention. Aryls Williams was elected president and Ellen Osborne will 

continue in her role as Secretary. House Delegates: Jerry Carpenter, Sue Swan, Ellen Osborne, Aryls 

Williams, Mary Papas, Lisa Ash, Anita Doherty, Candace Ivers and Alternate Sedate Philemon. We look 

forward to another year at convention and invite all District 6 members to our next meeting which will be 

held at the Convention. Please come and ask one of the House Delegates about location and time. 

District 6 elected their allotted eight Delegates to the MNA convention to sit in the House of Delegates. 

District funds will be utilized to help support their attendance. 

Within District 6 are six local units and they are supported by our MNA labor representatives 

Sandi Luckey and Amy Hauschild. 


President: Debby Lee BSN, RN-BC 

Vice President: Jerry Carpenter RN 

Secretary: Ellen Osborne BSN, RN, CEN 

Treasurer: Sue Swan BS, RN 

28



Gwyn S Palchak, BSN, RN-BC, ACM President 

District 7: Flathead County, Lake County, Lincoln County and Sanders County 


Local #22-Cabinet Peaks Medical Center 

Local #27-Montana Veterans Home 

Local #34-Clark Fork Valley Hospital 

District 7 has been stable this past year. We have elected three delegates, out 

of our four that are eligible, to attend the Annual MNA Convention House 

of Delegates. District 7 will be using district funds to support the convention attendees, Delegates, and 

Board Members when applicable. Within our district are three bargaining units, cared for by Labor 

Representative Leslie Shepherd and all is well with them. Several of our District 7 members continue 

to contribute to the association’s work volunteering at the state level. 


President/Treasurer: Gwyn Palchak BSN, RN-BC, ACM 

29



Jennifer Miller, RN President 

District 8: Daniels County, Dawson County, Garfield County, McCone 

County, Petroleum County, Phillips County, Prairie County, Richland County, 

Roosevelt County, Sheridan County, Valley County, and 

Wibaux County 


Local #21-Glendive Medical Center 

Local #39-Sidney Health Center 

District 8 is a small district with a big circumference, covering the eastern 

portion of the state. We elected two Delegates out of the four that are eligible, and will use district funds 

to support these Delegates in attending the Annual Convention House of Delegates. Our goal is to cover 

registration, gas, and hotel rooms for our Delegates as our district funds allow. Within District 8 are two 

bargaining units, cared for by Labor Representative Amy Hauschild. 


President: Jennifer Miller RN 

Treasurer: Andee Jolliffe RN 

30


Montana Nurses Association ~ MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 

20 Old Montana State Highway • Clancy, MT 59634 

•Phone 406-442-6710 • Fax (406) 442-1841 • www.mtnurses.org 

***Please mail or fax application to MNA Office*** 

Date: Personal E-mail Address FOR MNA USE ONLY 

(Please print clearly) 

Process Date: 

Full Name Facility Name District: 

Local Unit: 

Date of Hire 

Dues Amount:$ 

Pymt Type: 

Mailing Address Employment Status Check # if Applicable 

(full-time, part-time, per diem) 

Collective Bargaining Member 

Graduation Date 

Non-Collective Bargaining Member 

Cell Phone ( ) Credentials(RN/APRN) RN License # 

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES 

Choose ONE Below 

*COLLECTIVE BARGAINING MEMBERS ONLY* 

If you choose to join and are a staff nurse 

employed at a facility that has a collective 

bargaining agreement with MNA you must 

select one of TWO options in this GREEN 

section: 

Collective Bargaining/Union Member ~ 

$753.50 Annually 

Professional Reduced Rate - Collective 

Bargaining/Union ~ $463.75 Annually 

_____ * New Grad - (1 st year of membership only) Must apply 

within 6 months of obtaining initial RN licensure 

_____ * RN in full time study towards a degree (up to 3 years) 

additional documentation required 

_____ * RN 65+ years of age who is licensed 

*SIGNATURE REQUIRED BELOW* 

Revocation Window: This voluntary authorization and assignment 

shall be irrevocable regardless of whether I am or remain a 

member of the Union, for a period of one year from the date of 

authorization, or until the expiration date of the collective 

bargaining agreement between the Union and the Employer, 

whichever occurs sooner, and shall automatically renew from 

year to year unless I revoke this authorization by sending written 

notice by the United State Postal Service to the MNA postmarked 

between August 1 and August 31 or by sending written notice by 

the United States Postal Service to the MNA upon expiration of 

the collective bargaining agreement 

Name (Printed):_________________________________ 

Signature:_______________________________ 

*NON-COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 

MEMBERS ONLY* 

Non-Collective Bargaining/Non-Union Member 

~ $591.50 Annually 

Professional Reduced Rate - Non-Collective 

Bargaining/Non-Union ~ 

$301.75 Annually 

____* New Grad - (1 st year of membership only) Must 

apply within 6 months of obtaining initial RN 

licensure 

_____ * RN in full time study towards a degree (up to 3 years) 

additional documentation required 

_____ * RN 65+ years of age who is licensed 

Retired Member ~ $156.88 Annually 

Date of Retirement ________ 

(62+ years of age and has ceased employment as 

a registered nurse) 

PAYMENT OPTIONS 

Choose ONE Below 

1. Payroll Deduction Authorization: 

*NOT APPLICABLE FOR NON-FTE RN’S* 

Montana Nurses Association ~ AUTHORIZATION FOR PAYROLL 

DEDUCTION OF MEMBERSHIP DUES 

I, the undersigned, do hereby authorize ___________________________ Hospital/Clinic 

~ Local Unit # ________, to deduct sums equal to my membership dues, as certified by 

the Treasurer of the Montana Nurses Association Board of Directors, for the American 

Nurses Association and the Montana Nurses Association for the period of my employment 

and whether I am or remain a Union member. 

Deductions shall be in twelve equal installments from my earned or accrued wages. Money 

deducted is to be forwarded to the Montana Nurses Association for distribution to the three 

levels of the Association. 

Card #: 

Signature:___________________________________________________________ 

2. ANNUAL PAYMENT IN FULL (Enclose check payable to MNA) 

3. CREDIT CARD PAYMENT – Monthly or Annually 

A $6 Annual ($0.50 monthly)Service Fee will apply to all Electronic 

Payments 

Expiration Date: 

Month 

Year 

Monthly 

Annually 

Signature:______________________________________________________ 

Credit Card Payment Authorization Signature 

By signing on the line above, I authorize CMA/ANA to charge the credit card listed in the credit card information for 

the monthly or annual dues plus any additional service fees on the 1 st day of the month per month or when annual 

renewal is due. 

4. E-PAY 

{MONTHLY ELECTRONIC CHECKING ACCOUNT FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) } 

A $6 Annual ($0.50 monthly)Service Fee will apply to all Electronic 

Payments 

Signature:______________________________________________________ 

Monthly EFT Authorization Signature 

By signing on the line above, I authorize my Constituent Member Association (CMA/ANA) to withdraw monthly electronic 

payments of 1/12 of my annual dues and any additional service fees from my account. Please enclose a void check. The 

account designated by the enclosed check will be drawn on or after the 15 th of each month 

*By signing the Electronic Deduction Authorization, or the Automatic Credit Card Payment Authorization, you are authorizing ANA to change the amount by giving the above-signed thirty (30) days written 

notice. Above-signed may cancel this authorization upon receipt by ANA of written notification of termination twenty (20) days prior to deduction date designated above. Membership will continue unless 

this notification is received. ANA will charge a $5 fee for returned draft or chargeback. *State nurses association dues are not deductible as charitable contributions for tax purposes, but may be deductible 

as a business expense. However, that percentage of dues used for lobbying by MNA is not deductible as a business expense. Please check with MNA for the correct amount. 

31


~ NOTES ~ 

32

Central Montana Medical Center 

• 25-bed Acute Care Hospital 

• State-of-the-art ED & Lab 

• Surgical Services 

• Obstetrics 

• Rehab Services 

• Home Health & Hospice Care 

• CMMC Physician Clinic 

Including: Family Practice, OB & Internal Medicine 

• Traveling specialty physicians 

• EMS Services covering 7,864 square miles 

• DME/Home Oxygen 

Nurses wanted! 

Love where 

you work. 

Love where 

you live! 

www.cmmc.health • 406-535-7711 • 408 Wendell Ave. • Lewistown, MT 59457

Everyone Deserves A Job They Love!! 

Let Us Help Today, Call 406.228.9541 

Prairie Travelers is Recruiting 

Traveling Healthcare Staff in 

Montana, North & South Dakota 

Prairie Traveler’s Commitment 

to Our Staff 

• Registered Nurses • Excellent Wages • Health Care Benefits 

Hospital, ER, ICU, OB and LTC • Travel Reimbursement • Annual Bonus 

• Licensed Practical Nurses • Paid Lodging • Zero Assignment 

• Certified Medication Aides • Flexible Work Schedules Cancellations 

• Certified Nurse Aides • 24/7 Staff Support • Varied Work Settings 

• Full-Time and Part-Time 

APPLY TODAY 406.228.9541 

Prairie Travelers Recruitment Department 

130 3rd Street South, Suite 2 • Glasgow, MT 59230 

For an application or more information, visit 

www.prairietravelers.com 

BUILD A CAREER – MAKE A DIFFERENCE 

Undergraduate Degree Options 

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree 

• Accelerated BSN degree for post-baccalaureate students 

Graduate Degree Options 

• Master’s Degree (Focused on Clinical Leadership) 

- ADRN to MN option 

- BSN to MN option 

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 

- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 

- Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) 

www.montana.edu/nursing 

406-994-3783

Montana Annual Book of Reports 2018 - September 2018

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?